Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4021 O*NET: 51-4021.00
Median Salary
$46,980
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
What does a Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,370
25th percentile
Median
$46,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,360
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,470
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,390
25th
$39,370
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,980
Mean: $48,170
75th
$54,360
90th
$62,470
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,080 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,370 and $54,360
- •Salary spread is 31.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 65,700 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:66,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing96%
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing51.9%
Plastics Product Manufacturing49.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:6,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)66,000
Current
2034 (Projected)66,800
+1.2%
+800
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
Texas
5,220 jobs$45,2800.88x
California
4,860 jobs$44,9700.63x
North Carolina
4,370 jobs$51,9302.10x
Ohio
4,150 jobs$43,3201.76x
Tennessee
3,790 jobs$43,6602.72x
Indiana
3,750 jobs$47,2802.76x
Pennsylvania
3,660 jobs$47,6701.43x
Wisconsin
2,890 jobs$48,8402.32x
Georgia
2,550 jobs$46,9301.23x
South Carolina
2,310 jobs$50,7502.38x
New York
1,980 jobs$48,0500.49x
Alabama
1,940 jobs$41,7502.18x
Illinois
1,900 jobs$49,0700.73x
Massachusetts
1,840 jobs$48,2901.18x
Michigan
1,800 jobs$47,6600.96x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Quality Control Analysis
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Troubleshooting
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Machinists82%
5 shared skills
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers82%
5 shared skills
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Coordination
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Quality Control Analysis
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Clean work areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.31
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.27
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.94
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.89
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.82
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.78
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Self-Control
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Concern for Others
3.6
Independence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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